Manuscripts Relating to Slavery

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Two-page petition by George Wooley against A. O. Roberts requesting a recision of a previous contract regarding the purchase from A. O. Roberts by George Wooley of the slave girl named Ann, on the ground that the negro slave is unsound and diseased, in Fayette County, Kentucky [previous contract attached].

One-page printed petition completed in manuscript, submitted by John McLean of Liberty County [Georgia] for payment from Joseph Law for a female slave who he had "converted to his own proper use and involvement to the damage of the petitioner." Signed by Howly [probably Richard Howly] and Benj'n [Benjamin] Andrew.

List of 24 Massachusetts citizens who agreed to take slaves "let against their names." Includes the number of slaves for each person. On back, a proposition for the erection of a "spacious hall in which free decision may be had," with subscription details.

Undated petition signed by c.150 Boston citizens arguring against the removal of Judge [Edward Greely] Loring in 1850 from his appointment as judge for forcing Anthony Burns to return back to slavery in the South.

Two document on one leaf. On front, petition dated January 4, 1709, by "Jack O [sic] Negro]" of Boston [Massachusets] to marry "Esther, a negro servant" despite witheld consent from his master, Mr. Gutteridge. On back, petition dated March 30, 1780, by Mercy Turner to divorce her husband Philip Turner.

One-page petition, possibly dating from the 1830s, signed by eighteen inhabitants of Pennsylvania regarding the abolition of slavery. Many signatures illegible. Possibly a fragment of a larger petition.

Two-page petition submitted by Paul Woolfolk of Caroline County [Virginia] to receive payment equal to the value of his slave, Ben, who had served as a witness in a slave insurrection trial. Woolfolk argues that if he takes the slave back into his service, Ben will "not be safe one moment against their secret enmity." Document is undated, but may refer to Gabriel's Insurrection of 1890 in Henrico County, Virginia.

Signed petition addressed the the Mayor and Alderman [of Boston, Massachusetts] to deny a particular group the use of Faneuil Hall on the grounds that "the meeting to be of such an exciting character as to endanger the peace of the City." The petition was signed by Arnold Charles, Austin Edward, H. A. Andrews, C. F. Adams, Andrew J. Allen, Sam A. Appleton, I. S. B. Alleyne, William P. Andrews, Sam L. Abbott and ca. 186 others.

One-page petition submitted by Remy Thiboult regarding the discovery of a runaway slave belonging to Samuel Johnson of Rhode Island, on the Schooner Corsaire docked in the harbor of St. Pierre, Martinique.